Agenda item

Questions from Sir Mark Boleat (notice given in advance of the meeting)

Para 2.1 of the Planning Protocol refers to the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommendation that members of planning committees should receive appropriate training. The Protocol states that appointment to the Committee “effectively creates a requirement for members to undertake such training, both on appointment and periodically thereafter”.  What training has been arranged for members since the Committee was reconstituted in May 2017 and how many members have participated?

2.Para 5 of Annex B to the Protocol requires that persons wishing to address the Committee “must submit a written statement of their case in order that any factual or new points can be investigated prior to the meeting”.  Has this been complied with?  

The Town Clerk advised that training sessions on the Planning Protocol had been arranged in advance of the first meeting in May 2017 and that all Members, particularly those new to the Court, had been invited to attend. General sessions were also provided for new members in relation to standards in public life by the Comptroller.

Sessions on the impact of wind and lighting had also been arranged although take up wasn’t good.

In response to a suggestion that training should be mandatory, the Town Clerk advised that the Committee could not insist on this as the Protocol was not enforceable.

In response to the second question, the CPO advised that Speakers did complete a form but to a varying standard.

In response to a question concerning the legal consequences of not having training, the Comptroller advised that although non-attendance at training by a Member  would not in itself make any decision unlawful, it was a very good idea as the key issue was that Members must reach their decision properly, and the training assists in ensuring that.

A Member suggested on-line training which could be done at the member’s convenience, and each person’s completion could be monitored.

Another Member commended external training that had been arranged in the past.

The Town Clerk suggested that If Members would like more training and would like to indicate what areas they would like to be covered and in what format they would find most helpful then this could be provided and it was agreed that a report be prepared for a future meeting.